Statement of purpose

I want this blog to be a compass that helps you find your own style. To get to the point of feeling self confident in terms of style has been a journey for me, and I would like to help other women to get there too. Actually, that is what I used to go around doing, until a friend of mine suggested I started a blog.
Of course, I'm writing within my own cultural parameters: I'm European, a woman, and a professional in my 30's (not for long). I'm obviously thinking about other women in the same parameters. This blog is also for women who work and have to balance work and personal life.
Others can do their own blog with their own cultural parameters. It's a big (and hopefully free) blogosphere.
To those women out there that are and have always been self-assured, my heart is filled with joy, there should be many many more like you, and I want this blog to contribute to increasing your numbers.

Why this blog? Because image does matter.

First, it matters to others. Image in an image-dominated culture.

I can very well believe that people should not be judged by what they are wearing, but that is not what happens.All sorts of signals are sent when you wear anything, and it is perfectly normal human thing to do. It has been happening since the dawn of time. I comes with the territory of being human, and to all cultures. I'm pretty sure Maya Queen Six Turtle (not that she existed), judged her friends and enemies by the colour of the feathers in their skirts, how shiny the precious stones encrusted in their teeth were, or how shapely their head had become through cranial disfiguration (although that was mostly the work of their mothers). So let's not fool ourselves, the world out there not only notices how you are presenting yourself, it also judges you by it.Many things depend on image, both in our personal and professional lives. Things are still especially tough for women, who are judged by what they are wearing much more than men are, or perhaps I should say, in more senses.

Second, because it matters to you.

The importance of image in our culture is very often reflected on issues of body image and self-confidence.
We hold so many misconceptions about our own body that the image we have of it is sometimes highly unrealistic or, worse, terribly unflattering. Most women start talking about their bodies pointing at what is wrong with them, and many magazine articles and books like to use those parts as the starting point of any conversation about clothes. Those (perceived) defects, and the remedies (mostly false or just plain ineffective) for them, cost time and money, but also erode our moral.
Many of us may cover our insecurities saying we don't care, but we do, even if it is only in a very small voice when we are alone. How not to? We are constantly bombarded by completely false images (digitally altered) that are impossible to meet. This is especially important for younger women, and most of us have to struggle with ourselves for a good part of our youth, first for a modest self acceptance, and then for full fledged (high) self-esteem. I want that decade back, and I imagine you do too.

What you wear plays a huge role in self-esteem too.
We both trust our clothes to introduce us to the world every day in the most convenient way, and we also want them to make us happy: we need to fit in AND be us at the same time. However, there is so much information and so much pulling and pushing in different directions, that you may find yourself quite lost, maybe you are not even trying, it's too much trouble, or too difficult.
Often, there's a disconnect between what we want our clothes to achieve, and what we perceive they are in reality doing for us, every morning in front of the wardrobe. Many think they know how to shop, but then they go to their wardrobes and there is nothing that serves the purpose of representing them and building up their confidence (a sort of shield against too often harsh working or living conditions). Worst: they find they have nothing to wear.
Neither of the two tenets above needs to apply to you.

What do I propose?

At some point, you have to decide that, instead of being the passive recipient of media artillery, you need to cast a critical look out there and say: "OK, but what of all these is really for me?". Rebel and take possession of your image, your money, and your time.
I own my style and I propose you do the same.

Why The Red Lipstick?

For me, wearing red lipstick represents everything that style, as a means of self expression, can do for you: lift you up and carry you through. I think red lipstick represents an instant sophistication. It is definitely a statement. It means you are not afraid of standing out in a crowd. When you're applying it, you are performing a small work of art, in its precision and its uniqueness. It represents passion and life.
Everyone, welcome to my blog!